ABC Prisoner List
(out of date, treat as archive)

Anarchist Black Cross- International Prisoners list- 98

This list includes International prisoners the ABC supports and is regularly
in contact with and prisoners supported by other groups similar to the ABC
around the world. We have also included addresses of these prisoner support
groups. This list is regularly updated and added to, so please send us news
of prisoners, their name, prison number, address and some information about
them to the address below. We are also interested in news from prisoners.
If you would like further information on any of the prisoners in this list
either write to the prisoner concerned, the ABC or the prisoners' support
group if there is one. If you havn't written to someone in prison before and
are not sure about what to write/how to go about it you will find our following
advice leaflets useful:'Notes on writing to prisoners' and 'Practical support
for prisoners'. Please write to us for copies of these. We also regularly
publish a separate list of prisoners in Britain which we support. Send an
sae for a copy to:

ABC -P.O. BOX 381, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 3XX, U.K.

EUROPE

I R E L A N D

ABC/Ainriail - PO Box 505 Belfast, N.Ireland

IRISH POLITICAL PRISONERS -There are approximately 500 Irish political
prisoners being held in Irish, British and U.S. prisons. For more information
contact the following:

C.A.M.P.I. -Chino/El Lokal, Calle De La Cera 1, BIS, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
-Supports 'Insumission' prisoners,100's of people have been annually imprisoned
in Spain for refusing to do military service.

C Z E C H R E P U B L I C

*PAVEL KROUPA - 4.3.1977, Veznice Vazba, Straz Pod Ralskem, 47127 -Anti-fascist
activist recently jailed and charged with murder. Pavel was attacked by 5
fascist skinheads. He defended himself and consequently one fascist died.
Czech comrades are appealing for financial support to help pay for Pavel's
defence. If found guilty he could face life in prison. Send support to:

I T A L Y

*EDOARDO MASSARI -Casa Circondariale, Corso Vercelli 165, 10015 Ivrea (TO)
- Anarchist, serving a year and 8 months for alleged possession of explosives.
Must also serve a further 7 months for 'outrage to the national flag

* FRANCO FIORINA -c/o Carcere San Michele, 15040, Alessandria

Libertarian communist, Franco was arrested in 1983 after a shoot-out with
police. He is accused of being a leader in the COLP (Organised Communists
for the Liberation of the Proletariat)

* MARCO CAMENISCH -Via Sforzesca 49, 28100 Novara -Anarchist, serving 12
years in Italy for attempted murder (as a result of a shoot-out with police
before his arrest), possession of explosives and weapons and explosive attacks
against electricity pylons and TV signal repeaters. In the early 80's escaped
from prison in Switzerland, with another 5 inmates, where he was serving a
10 year sentence for a dynamite attack against a hydroelectric plant. During
the escape a prison guard was mortally wounded. Marco is now fighting against
extradition to Switzerland, as well as fighting against the gulag-type conditions
of Novara prison. Marco is supported by AAA-Case Postale 38,1000 Lausanne
9, (Switzerland)

* ANTONIO BUDINI - Via Prati Nuovi 7, 27058 Voghera (Pavia)

* JEAN WEIR - Via Bartolo Longo 92, 00156 (Rome)

* CARLO TESSERI - Via Leopardi 2, 61034 Fossombrone (Pesaro),

* CHRISTOS STRATIGOPULOS - Via Sforzesca 49, 28100 Novara

- Four anarchists already serving 3 years and 4 months each (4 for Carlo)
for a bank robbery in 1994, they received an additional 6 years and 6 months
(Carlo 7yrs) sentence for another alleged bank robbery, as part of the frame-up
in progress against sections of the Italian anarchist movement.

* HORST FANTAZZINI - c/o Carcere San Michele, 15040 Alessandria -Accused
of a long list of robberies, Horst has been in prison since 1967. Various
more or less successful escape attempts, as well as his bitter struggles and
resistance against prison conditions, have accounted for an accumulation of
the charges he faces since then. Horst has been given a further 4 years recently
for allegedly robbing a bank during a year of freedom he gained by not returning
to prison at the end of a home leave in 90.

* ORLANDO CAMPO -Via Delle Macchie 9, 57100 Livorno -Despite a complete
lack of evidence Orlando was sentenced to 22 years for allegedly participating
in the kidnapping and eventual murder of a wealthy Italian businessman's'
wife in 1990. Orlando and his co-defendants have always maintained their innocence
of these charges. His sentence has been seen as the opening blow of a series
of frame-ups of Italian anarchists in recent months.

MOVE is a mainly black, revolutionary/ecological group which started in
the early 70's in Philadelphia. The group was and persecuted by the police
and local state, for challenging and opposing them and exposing cop violence.
The war against Move included the framing-up of 9 MOVE members on murder charges
after the police laid siege to MOVE's HQ for a year, then attacked it in
1978 shooting one of their own officers in the process. The following MOVE
members were given sentances of 30-100 years each. The repression culminated
in the firebombing of a MOVE house in 1985, in which 11 people died and 61
surrounding houses were burnt out.

* MUMIA ABU- JAMAL- # AM 8335, SCI Greene, 1040 E. Roy Furman Highway,
Waynesburg, PA.15370-8090 -Former Black Panther, community activist and supporter
of MOVE as well as an outspoken journalist. Framed in 1981 for the killing
of a cop, Mumia has been on death-row since then. His execution was set for
August 95, but stayed due to a massive international campaign. His life still
hangs in the balance. Has recentlyhad several books published. For further
info. contact: International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal
-PO Box 19709, Philadelphia, PA. 19143 (phone/fax -215-476-8812)

* LEONARD PELTIER - #89637-132, Springfield Medical Center, 1900 West Sunshine,
Box 4000, Springfield, MI. 65808.- American Indian Movement activist, convicted
of the murder of two FBI agents killed in 1973 during an FBI invasion of
a native american reservation. Targeted by the FBI as a 'subversive' they
wanted put away, Leonard fled to Canada while two co-accused were acquitted
in his absence. Fitted-up with 'evidence' forced out of 'witnesses'. For more
info contact: Leonard Peltier Defense Committee - PO Box 583, Lawrence, KS.
66044.

* STANDING DEER - #640289, Ellis Unit 1, Huntsville, TX. 77343- Native
American prison activist. Now in his mid 70's, Standing Deer has been in super-max
prisons for over 20 years. In 1978 he exposed a government plot to assassinate
Leonard Peltier. In 1984 he went on hunger strike for 42 days with Leonard
and another prisoner, to draw attention to the repression and inhumane conditions
endured by prisoners at Marion Control Unit. He is not eligible for parole
and has no release date.

* LARRY GIDDINGS-# 10917-086, PO Box 1000, Lewisburg, PA.17837- Anti-authoritarian
prisoner jailed in 1973 for attempted expropriation, paroled in 1978 then
re-arrested in 79 while attempting to liberate a comrade from prison. Doing
multiple sentences of life in prison and 75 years with no known parole opportunities.

* BILL DUNNE -#10916-086, Box 1000, Marion, IL.62959 - Anti-authoritarian
sentenced to 90 years for the attempted liberation of a prisoner in 1979 (with
Larry Giddings - above). Bill was recently transfered back to the infamous
Marion Control Unit. In the past he was involved in the resistance against
the regieme there and among the most active prisoners in Marion.

* SILVIA BARLADINI -#05125-054, FCI Danbury, CT.06811 -Veteran left activist,
who fought against Vietnam war and in support of the Black Liberation and
Puerto Rican independence movements. Convicted of liberating Black Liberation
Army prisoner Assata Shakur and of conspiracy against U.S. Govt.. Serving
43 years. In bad health due to cancer, there is a campaign to get her paroled
or transferred to her native Italy, contact:

Release Silvia -3543 18th Street, Box 30, San Francisco, CA.94110

* DAVID GILBERT -#83-A-6158, PO Box51, Comstock, NY12821-0051 -Spent 10
years in the Weather Underground Organisation, until capture in 1981 when
a unit of the B.L.A. and allied white revolutionaries tried to expropriate
a Brinks truck. A comrade, a guard and 2 cops were killed in the shoot-out.
David was sentenced to 75 years-life .Inside he is active with education work
on AIDS/HIV.

* OJORE N. LUTALO -# 59860, CN-861, M.C.U., Trenton, NJ. 49444 - Black
liberation activist and anarchist. Jailed in 1975 for expropriation, paroled
in 1980 but re-arrested in 1982 for an armed attack on a drug dealer. Sentenced
to 20-40 years. Held in the Trenton Management Control Unit, where political
prisoners are isolated by the authorities in their attempt at stopping the
spread of radical ideas.

-Former Black Panther, Mark has been in jail for over 20 years as a result
of actions (robberies for political funds and liberating prisoners) carried
out by the armed left group the George Jackson Brigade. He is serving 2 life
sentances plus 30 years. He is still inside because he refuses to abandon
his revolutionary and anti-racist views. His co-defendant, Ed Mead was released
in 1994 and is fighting for Mark's release. Contact: Mark Cook Freedom Committee-
PO Box 85763, Seattle, WA.98145 -2763.

NEW YORK 3

Three former Black Panthers amongst the longest held political prisoners
in the U.S. Albert and Jalil were arrested for allegedly being involved in
a shootout with San Fransisco police after the assassination of imprisoned
comrade George Jackson (August 71) Later in 1973, with Herman, they were railroaded
and convicted for the killing of 2 New York cops. (The prosecution withheld
information and their key witness committed perjury)

* HERMAN BELL-# 79-C-262, PO Box 51, Comstock, NY. 12821

* ALBERT NUH WASHINGTON -#77-A- 1528, Box 2001, Dannemora, NY. 12929

* JALIL MUNTAQUIN (Bottom) -#77-A-4283, Box 339, Napanoch, NY. 12458

* SUNDIATA ACOLI - #39794-066, Box 3000, USP Allenwood, White Deer, PA.
17887. -Former Black Panther imprisoned in 1969 with 13 others (Panther 21
case), for 2 years without bail, until acquitted in 1971. Upon release, forced
underground and joined Black Liberation Army due to police harassment. Sundiata
was sentenced to life, plus 30 years for murder in 1973 after a police ambush,
at which a comrade and a cop were killed. One of the longest serving political
prisoners in the world, he has developed tuberculosis. Sundiata spent 8 years
in the notorious Marion Control Unit until campaigners forced the authorities
to transfer him. For more info contact: Sundiata Acoli Defence Campaign -
PO Box 5538, Manhattanville Station, Harlem, NY.10027

* SEKOU ODINGA - # 05228-054, 3901 Klien Blvd., Lompoc, CA.93436 -Former
Black Panther. Later involved in clandestine activities of the Black Liberation
Army (for 12 years) until capture. Sentenced to 25-life for 'attempted murder
of police' (shooting over his shoulder while being chased and shot at by police)
and also a further 20 years for the liberation of comrade Assata Shakur and
the expropriation of an armoured truck.

-Framed by police in 1975 for the murder of a KKK official and a multi-milionaire
businessman. In both his trials witnesses were threatened by police, false
testimony given and evidence manufactued. Throughout the 60's Sekou was an
active member of several organisations including the Black Panther Party in
Detroit, Republic of New Africa, Alabama Black Liberation Front, Black Liberation
Army, Inmates for Action Defence Committee and the Afro-American People's
Party. He is a successful jailhouse lawyer which has earned him the hatred
of prison officials who have worked against Sekou's chances of getting parole
for the past 11 years. For more info: Sekou Kambui Legal Defense/Support Committee-c/o
Aysha Dejenaba Bey, 827 G. Tyler Circle, Hoover, AL 35226

possession of weapons. Among the first political prisoners held at the
High Security Unit for Women at Lexington (since shut down after a massive
campaign), due to her political beliefs, she was placed in total isolation.
Has done work inside on AIDS/HIV in prison.

* MARILYN BUCK -#00482-285, FCI Dublin, 5701 8th St., Camp Parks, Dublin,
CA.94568 -Anti-imperialist, targeted by the FBI's COINTELPRO. Sentenced to
10 years in1973 for buying gun ammunition. Escaped after 4 years. Went underground
and was recaptured in 1985. Convicted in the R.C.Case and for allegedly participating
in the liberation of political prisoner Assata Shakur and several bank expropriations.
Sentenced to 80 years.

* LINDA EVANS -#19973-054, FCI Dublin (see above) - Got 40 years for her
anti-imperialist activities in the R.C. Case. Linda has remained active in
prison and founded an AIDS/HIV education and counselling program for women
prisoners.

THE OHIO 7

Anti-imperialist activists jailed in 1985 for armed resistance actions
carried out by the United

Freedom Front -(an early 80's clandestine group), including bombings of
the property of big

corporations and the U.S. military and judiciary (Union Carbide, IBM, a
U.S. Navy recruiting office, South African business interests etc.). Four
of the original seven remain in prison. For more info. contact :

-Sentenced to 45 years for UFF bombings. Is being held at the new, ultra-secure
Control Unit at Florence. Ray has written several pamphlets and articles for
many radical publications since his imprisonment.

* TOM MANNING -#10373-076, PO Box 1000, Leavenworth, KS 66048 -Sentenced
to 53 years for UFF bombings, plus 2 life sentances for the self-defence killing
of a New Jersey State Trooper. Tom spent 7 years at Trenton and Marion Control
Unit Prisons as well as time at the Maximum Control Unit at Florence.

PUERTO RICAN POLITICAL PRISONERS AND POW's

In U.S. prisons there are 15 Puerto Rican community activists imprisoned
since the early 80's for fighting to liberate their country from U.S. control.
All recieved huge sentences for participation in the clandestine struggle
of the Armed Forces of National Liberation (FALN). For more info. about their
amnesty campaign contact:

Pro Libertad - PO Box 477, New York, NY.10149. or some of the prisoners
themselves:

- New Afrikan anarchist, prison organiser, founder of Political Prisoners
of War Council (PPWC) a prisoners group active in Michigan prisons. Is serving
time for taking political action against drug dealers. Also for 'redirecting'
funds from capitalist ventures to community groups. Ali's writings available
from Huddersfield ABC (U.K.).

-Framed and given life in 1976 for a robbery he didn't commit, on the word
of a man pressed by police into naming the 'robbers'. Despite it being accepted
that his name was beaten out of a man who later retracted it, his appeal
was defeated in 1992. Lorenzo has also been targeted inside for holding to
his ideas on black liberation.

-Anarchist and Vietnam Veteran given life, plus 50 years in 1979 for the
killing of a police informer who killed Harold's partner and for allegedly
robbing a jewelers. Plus 21-75 years for another shooting incident in Ohio.
He was later also been given an extra 32 years for a failed armed escape attempt.
Is active as a jailhouse lawyer in prison. Harold's writings have been published
as a pamphlet.

* KEVIN GLOVER -#526379, Huntsville Unit, PO Box 32, Huntsville, Texas
77342-0099 -Libertarian Socialist, jailed for the accidental shooting of his
friend while drunk, the cops fitted him up to make it look like murder.

- Marxist prisoner, serving 25 years for the killing of a drug dealer.
Editor of the U.S. prisoners magazine:

Prison Legal News - PO Box 1684, Lake Worth, FL.33460.

* JOHN PEROTTI- #167712, SOCF, address currently unknown -Jailed for a
$7 robbery when he was 19. Anarchist, prison organiser, jailhouse lawyer.
Framed-up for an extra 12-15 years for the stabbing of another prisoner in
1988 (he was in solitary at the time), as revenge for his activities. John
was recently on hunger strike, demanding transfer out of SOCF where the screws
and officials hate him. He called it off when it became life threatening,
and now has kidney problems. John has written an account of his struggles
called 'Down to the Wire'. For more info. contact: John Perotti Defence Fund
-c/o 29 Sterlochy Street, Findochty, Buckie, Banffshire, AB56 4PQ, (Scotland)

- Co-founder of the Texas Prisoners' Labour Union, the first of it's kind
in the U.S. Facing severe repression due to his organising efforts. In particular,
Willie and TPLU are attempting to provide evidence concerning the use of Texas
prisoners as guinea pigs in experiments by biotech corporations and the U.S.
military concerning Gulf War Syndrome. A disease with the same symptoms as
GWS is currently reaching epidemic proportions in the Texas prison system.
For more info. contact Willie personally or TPLU Office Operations-c/o Dwight
L. Rawlinson, 2121 South 4th St., Waco, TX. 76706

* RICKY L. LONG- #490671, 2101 FM 369, Iowa Park, TX.76367, USA.

- Co-founder of Texas Prisoners' Labour Union (see above)

* MARSHALL GARDNER- #567238, 1207 FM 3522, Abilene, TX.79601, USA.

- Anarchist, currently working on a pamphlet detailing the history and
tactics of armed struggle in the U.S.

* BEATRICE CODIANNI-ROBLES-# 11866-014, Pembroke Station, Danbury, CT.06811,
USA. - Latino organiser imprisoned for her involvement with the original Latin
Queens and Kings (a latino organisation similar to the Black Panther Party,
criminalised by the state by it's label as a 'gang'). Serving time under
prosecution of RICO laws, supposedly for use against organised crime but
more often used to break up political organisations.

* REGGIE LEWIS-#AY 2902, 1040 E.Furman Hwy, Waynesburg, PA.15370-8090,
USA. - Death Row prisoner wrongfully convicted of murder. Reggie was 3000
miles away from the crime scene the night of the murder. Evidence ( bus tickets
and sale receipts) of this was removed from Reggie's briefcase by police investigating
the crime and have not been seen since. Reggie was convicted by an all white
jury (he is black) and sentenced to death by judge Albert F.Sabo, a judge
notorious for sending black defendants (including Mumia Abu-Jamal) to death
row. For more info. contact: House on Fire-Box 29056, 55 Wyndham St. North,
Guelph, Ontario, N1H 8J4, Canada

* DAVID ALLEN SHELDON- #807779A, P.O.Box 316219 D2, Ft.Madison, IA.52627,
USA. - Revolutionary poet. Persistent attempts to break his will have lead
to his being confined in administrative segregation (23 hrs per day in cell
and 1hr 'outside' in 30ft by 8ft enclosure). David has not been given a release
date from this lockdown, other than vague hints about the year 2028. He continues
to resist attempts by prison officials to enforce compliance.

* LEE PEARCE-Borrallon Corr. Centre, PO Box 4305, Ipswich, Queensland 4305
-Framed prisoner serving 6 years. Because Lee maintains his innocence all
remissions have been refused to him. Currently writing a book 'Sunshine State
Justice', about his imprisonment and the vicious Queensland prison system.

ABC Melbourne -PO Box 199, East Brunswick, 3057 Victoria

ABC Brisbane - PO Box 558, South Brisbane, 4101 Queensland

MIDDLE EAST

PALESTINIAN PRISONERS -There are still 1000's of prisoners of the Palestinian
Intifada in jails and prison camps in Israel and the Occupied Territories.
Contact :

* MORDECHAI VANUNU -Ashkelon Prison, PO Box 17, Ashkelon, Isreal- Sentenced
to 18 years for exposing Isreal's dodgy nuclear dealings. He was kidnapped
by Isreal's State Security while abroad and has been held in solitary since
1988.

THE ANARCHIST BLACK CROSS

The ABC organises practical solidarity with imprisoned anarchists, revolutionaries
and others who have been locked-up for resistance to the rich and their capitalist
system. We support people who have been imprisoned for trying to survive and
people framed-up by the police. We support and publicise prisoners efforts
to organise and resist the system from the inside. We try to work through
letters, visits, material aid (where possible) as well as demonstrations,
campaigns and spreading information about prisoners, prison struggles, the
reality of prisons and the class system which created them. In all of what
we do, we try to create links in and out of prisons. Ultimately we are working
towards the creation of a revolutionary working class movement which will
sweep away the capitalist system and it's prisons. Through working together,
we believe that working class people could create a real classless society,
a world where bosses aren't welcome and we can take real control over our
lives. On our own we aren't going to change the world but we invite prisoners,
their families and friends and anyone interested in our work to get in touch
and get involved.

ABC GROUPS IN BRITAIN

Brighton ABC - PO Box 2971, Brighton, BN2 2TT

Birmingham ABC -c/o PO Box 3241, Birmingham, B8 3DP

Newcastle ABC - c/o PO Box 1TA, Newcastle, NE99 1TA

Reading ABC - Folder 19, Rising Sun Inst., 30 Silver St, Reading RG1

Sheffield ABC - PO Box 446, Sheffield, S1 1NY

Wolves ABC - PO Box 339, Wolverhampton, WV1

Conviction - PO Box 522, Sheffield, S13FF (supports framed prisoners)

Death Penalty Defense Fund

for

Roger Peter Buehl

Roger Peter Buehl was, at the age of 22, taken from his family and sent
to death row after being, unjustly accused and convicted of a murder which
he did not commit.

Roger was accused of a 1982 robbery-murder which occurred in Villanova,
Pennsylvania. The case against Roger was based entirely upon circumstantial
evidence and two prosecution witnesses testifying to buy their own release
from prison. There was no confession, nor any evidence or testimony to place
Roger at the crime. Despite the lack of any physical evidence, Roger was convicted
and sentenced to be executed.

In 1992, evidence was uncovered proving how the prosecution procured false
testimony and concealed critical evidence, including the prosecution witnesses'
failed polygraph exam and prior contrary statements supporting Rogers defense
of innocence. One of these prosecution witnesses, when confronted with proof
of his perjury, recanted his trial testimony and further revealed the prosecution's
manipulations and witness-tampering. However, the prosecutor and the courts
have refused to acknowledge that Roger is entitled to freedom from the fraudulent
convictions.

In early 1997 the federal district Court vacated the sentences, but even
now the prosecutors are appealing. The prosecutors have promised in any event
to re-impose the death penalty upon Roger in the state court. In the meantime,
Roger remains on death row.

Roger's family and friend's have expended their available resources in
the lengthy legal battle on his behalf. Roger continues his defense without
any funding, and he urgently needs supporters and financial assistance in
the fight for his freedom and his life.

All donations will be used solely for the payment of costs and legal fees
related to Roger's defense; should his defense be unsuccessful, remaining
funds will be forwarded to the Pennsylvania Coalition to Abolish the Death
Penalty. This defense fund is registered as a charity. The official registration
and financial information of the Death Penalty Defense Fund for Rogar P. Buehl
may be obtained by calling the State Bureau of Charities (7 17) 783-1720.
Registration does not imply state endorsement.

REVOLUTIONARY PRISONER ALI KHALID ABDULLAH

URGENTLY REQUESTS YOUR SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY

8.3.98

Dear Comrades, Friends and Supporters,

I forward this letter to you in order to share the disregard of life the
Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) official prisoncrats have for those
they incarcerate, e.g. their safety, health and overall wellbeing. This letter
is about my own latest experience yet it is just as feasible that other prisoners
have experienced/ are experiencing the same things that will be mentioned
herein.

In May 1996, while i was at the Charles Egeler Correctional Facility (CECF)
in Jackson, Michigan, a former MDOC employee (Assistant Resident Unit Manager
[ARUM] G.Agawa) wrote a state memorandum accusing me of giving him info. on
another prisoner. The prisoner i was accused of giving info. on ended up
with a copy of this memo. As a result i was labelled a 'snitch' and ended
up being stabbed at the CECF, treated at the Duane L.Waters Hospital (located
on the facilities grounds), placed in a punitive protective custody cell and
interrogated as to who had stabbed me by the Michigan State Police, the Deputy
Warden, Inspector and other high ranking officials and hospital staff. i
refused to tell them anything. i was eventually transferred to the E.C. Brooks
Correctional Facility in Muskegon Heights, Michigan in June 96.

While at the Brooks Facility i continued my political agitation, political
re-education programming with prisoners and planting revolutionary seeds.
Subsequently the official prisoncrats at Brooks began to harass me and tamper
with my mail. Denying mail from the Maoist Internationalist Movement (MIM),
Raze The Walls! (RTW!), Anarchist Black Cross (ABC) and others, claiming that
the language was a 'threat' and 'danger to the security of the institution'.

After enduring the madness at the Brooks Facility i requested a transfer
(after 16 months) and was sent to the Ryan Regional Correctional Facility
(RRCF) in Detroit, Michigan on Oct.2. 97. While there i began to adjust and
develop some close ties/comrades to become involved with the movement i founded:
Political Prisoners of War Coalition (PPWC). However, after only being at
Ryan 4 months i was suddenly awakened and told that i had one hour to pack
my belongings for transfer.

I was transferred to Macomb Correctional Facility (MCF) in New Haven, Michigan
on Feb.27.98. The following day (while on the prison yard) i was confronted
by a large group of prisoners and called a 'snitch' before the entire yard.
It was said that i was responsible for getting some prisoners busted at the
Egeler Facility (though they didn't say how) and that if i remained here
at this facility "your ass is out, nigger". Considering that i just arrived
and have nothing to protect myself with, nor do i have any PPWC comrades
here in order to go to battle with me, i returned to my unit to gather my
wits and create some form of battle plan. (i should mention that this accusation
and label upon me is not believed by many prisoners, but there are still
others who haven't taken the time to investigate the matter or to realise
that snitching and being friendly with pigs and aggressors is not my character,
style or make-up. However these misguided, slanderous prisoners are reactionaries
who are either unaware they're being manipulated by prisoncrats or are possibly
stooges and agents themselves for they have done nothing to further the political
line among prisoners, but rather have engaged in acts which support the domination
and hostile aggression against politicised revolutionaries active in struggle.)

In an attempt to minimise any surprise sneak attack i have written to the
warden of MCF. (J.Stegall) and Assistant Deputy Warden of Housing (L. Myers)
and have asked them to remove me from this prison. i mentioned to them the
events of Egeler and what was said to me on the yard, but made it clear that
i did not know who it was that made the threat nor do i have any idea who
would be coming to plunge the knife into my back.

i called my mother and told her of the situation and sent a word to MIM,
a friend at the Alliance for Democracy (AfD) and have asked for their help.
My friend of AfD phoned my mother and gave her the info. and sent letters
out to various groups and individuals i deal with, because i am not financially
able to do so myself. Words have also been sent out to various PPWC cadre
throughout the Michigan prison system so they are made aware of my situation.

On March 6, i was called to ARUM Underwoods office and informed that my
mother had called her and that there was nothing in my files to indicate i
was stabbed at the Egeler Facility or about ARUM G.Agawa's memo. accusing
me of giving him information on another prisoner. i was then offered the MDOC's
punitive Protective Custody which i refused. i refused because of the following:
1. i am not a coward and will not allow myself to live my incarceration in
such a manner. 2. it would severely damage PPWC if i were to allow myself
to be placed in Protective Custody. 3. it would give the appearance that
i am a snitch and therefore need this type of protection. 4. i do not trust
the pigs. Later in the day i was called to the Control Center to see an Inspector
Moore who again tried to get me to say who it was that confronted me on the
prison yard. When i told her i do not know and would not give up names even
if i did know she informed me that "there's nothing we can do for you then".
At that i informed her that if i am attacked in any manner i plan to defend
myself to the utmost and will use any means available to me for the protection
of my person.

This situation i've just described is very strange. The prisoncrats refuse
to send me back to RRCF where i had no such problems. They claim that they
have no record of the incident where i was stabbed at Egeler Facility, yet
my mother has documentation of this event (i had managed to get a copy of
the memo written by ARUM G.Agawa) and she has copies of letters concerning
this incident from MDOC Director K.L.McGinnis and State Senator J.F. Young
Jr. Yet there is nothing in my files about the incident. Sounds like a cover
up attempt to me. Not only that, it looks like the prisoncrats are hoping
i am murdered in prison so that they are rid of me and my politics and consciousness
raising within the system , for my exposing (at every chance i get) the corruption,
malfeasance, misappropriation of funds, thievery and other corruptible acts,
from reaching the eyes and ears of the public and from politicising prisoners
who could threaten their reign of power and domination.These prisoncrats know
that if they continue to allow me to remain at this facility, sooner or later
i am going to be stabbed and possibly murdered or i may kill someone in self
defence while the MDOC prisoncrats prosecute me for murder one where i'd
get LIFE in prison and surely die within their fences. However, at this time
i have no other recourse other than to stay on high alert, appeal to you
comrades for support while keeping you informed and take counteractive measures
for self preservation with efficient accuracy if aggressed.

i tell you this today comrades, friends and supporters because tomorrow
is not a sure thing and my life could be taken at any time. Prison life is
very serious, dangerous and real folks. Nothing is taken for granted in here
or it shouldn't be if it is. We are not yet at the level of political consciousness
where we have prisoners acting in a collective and conscious manner. Where
prisoners stand together in solidarity and not fall for the divide and conquer
tactics used by prisoncrats to obtain their goal or hidden agenda. We are
still a long way from that level of social, political and revolutionary consciousness
and will not get to that point until we have a change in the existing social
structure in which people live, think and act here within the borders of Amerikkka.
Again, this missive is a testament in case i am no longer able to share with
you. But it should also be used as advice for all current and future comrades
and cadres so that the subtle tricks of COINTELPRO (yes it still exists)
are not used by those of us who profess revolution or consciousness, against
one another. In the trenches...

Please spread this request for support - copy and distribute this information/leaflet

This information was put out by Huddersfield Anarchist Black Cross. We
have been working with Ali for several years now and respect the hard work
he does under such harsh conditions. If you'd like to know more about Ali's
work please send us an SAE/IRC for copies of his articles which have appeared
in various radical/revolutionary publications. Ali is hoping to file a lawsuit
against the MDOC over the above treatment he's received from them (he's had
previous success as a jailhouse lawyer) but to do this we need to raise funds
to pay for filing fees. He is also in desperate need of essentials like stamps,
stationary and typewriter ribbon. Since these things have to be purchased
inside Michigan prisons (they can't be posted in) we are asking for urgent
donations (labelled for Ali) to be sent to:

ABC - PO Box 381, Huddersfield, HD1 3XX, U.K.

SPOTLIGHT ON INJUSTICE -

THE CASE OF MAURICE CARTER

Introduction by Ali Khalid Abdullah of the Political Prisoners of War Coalition

We have been following a particular story regarding a man named Maurice
Carter, who is currently languishing in one of Michigan's prisons (death kkkamps)
for an alleged crime he clearly did not commit. As a result of doing some
investigation into this man's case and the events leading to his unjust arrest
and conviction, we are convinced that this man, Maurice Carter, deserves to
be acknowledged and supported by the overall community of Freedom Fighters,
those who believe in justice and fundamental fairness throughout the world
and helped in winning public support and aid for a new trial or for complete
exoneration of his conviction. We are calling on ALL our politically conscious
brothas and sistahs to stand up with us and help free a man that has been
so wrongly denied anything resembling justice. We are also asking that you
please contact all the parties you will find listed at the end of his story
and to especially contact Mr. Maurice Carter in person...

This is a true story about a black man being in the wrong place at the
wrong time: Benton Harbour, Michigan, December 20, 1973. As a result, he ended
up with a life sentence for a crime he did not commit. The Maurice Carter
Case is probably the most publicised one in the Southwestern part of the
state. His case has been aired nationally on CNN, CBS's 48 hours and on Detroit's
Joe Madison's Radio talk show. Also his case has been printed in numerous
newspapers throughout the state. This crime happened in Benton Harbour. A
black man was accused of assaulting and shooting a white policeman on December
20th, 1973. What makes this case stand out from others is how Benton Harbour
(Berrien County), Michigan criminal justice system used false information
to obtain a warrant, applied corrupt police tactics, convened a selective
all white jury, appointed an incompetent defense attorney and provided an
overzealous prosecution. The system incorporated all of the above and perpetuated
racism in order to win a conviction. The Maurice Carter conviction is a text
book example of how Michigan's justice system does not work and how some
officials use cases such as this one as a stepping stone to enhance their
own personal and political agendas: including public servants in the police
department, conspiring defense attorneys, and overly ambitious prosecutors.

THE CRIME

According to the court and police records, around 1pm on a sunshiny, crisp
winter day, December 20, 1973, policeman Thomas Schadler and his wife were
doing some Christmas shopping in downtown Benton Harbour. Both entered a black
owned ' Wig and Record shop' while a black female sales clerk was assisting
a lone black male. Without paying any attention to the black man in the store,
the Schadlers with their backs turned away, began looking at some music tapes.
Suddenly and without any provocation, the black man walked up behind Thomas
Schadler and shot him several times. He also took a shot at Ruth Schadler
after she tried to prevent the gunman from further assaulting her husband.
In less than a minute or so the gunman fled the store leaving Thomas and Ruth
Schadler and the female sales clerk (Gwen Baird) in total shock and hysteria.
After being shot four times in the back and head area, Tom Schadler struggled
to his feet and attempted to go after his assailant. However, once outside
the store he slipped and fell but still managed to pull his own gun out and
fired it at the gunman who was by now midway down the block. After a massive
police manhunt, the gunman was able to get away.

On the sane day, December 20, 1973, Maurice Carter and Wilbur Gillespie
were coming out of the Benton Harbour Hotel, also located downtown. As they
came out of the hotel together, two unknown policemen explained to them that
a robbery had occurred and they were looking for the perpetrator. Both Maurice
and Wilbur acknowledged they saw no one or anything unusual. After a brief
questioning the police took their names and addresses and they were allowed
to go.After talking to the unknown uniformed policemen, Maurice and Wilbur
Gillespie walked a couple of blocks East away from the Benton Harbour Hotel
to another friend's apartment. Once inside Jerry's place, Maurice stayed a
while then left. He went to a tavern which was located next door to his friend's
apartment. A few minutes after entering the bar another set of policemen in
plain clothes came in the tavern behind him. They also wanted to talk to
Maurice regarding the same incident (robbery) which happened earlier. They
asked Maurice if he would be willing to go to the scene of the crime for
identification by a witness who was still at the crime scene. Without any
problem or resistance, Maurice, now in the custody of the police officers,
went with them to the crime scene.

Once at the 'Wig and Record shop', Gwen Baird, the female sales clerk who
witnessed the shooting was asked if she could identify the man (Maurice Carter)
who the policemen now had at the crime scene. Gwen Baird told the supervising
officer Captain Harold Harris that Maurice Carter was not the man, his features
did not match the assailant who shot officer Thomas Schadler. She further
stated that the assailant that they should be looking for was heavy set,
very dark skinned and was wearing a green fatigue like coat. At the time
Maurice was brought to the crime scene he was wearing a grey dress coat and
his skin colour was light brown in complexion and he was not heavy set. Gwen
Baird's statements at the crime scene and her non-identification of Maurice
Carter were never disclosed during Maurice's subsequent trial. Captain Harold
Harris a supervisor witness, knew that information existed but neither the
prosecutor or the defense called him to testify about Gwen Baird's non identification
of Maurice Carter on December 20,1973.

Maurice was released as a result of Gwen Baird's non identification. Also
after an All Point Bulletin (APB) verified there were no outstanding warrants
against Maurice and the fact that he had been topped and questioned the first
time with Wilbur Gillespie. He was given a ride back to the Benton Harbour
Hotel by the police. Once back at the hotel he learnt that all the hotel rooms
had been searched by the police. Later that night, Maurice ran into Wilbur
Gillespie at the Ponderosa bar and he told Wilbur what had happened after
he left him at Jerry's apartment earlier in the day. He also told Wilbur he
thought it was time to leave Benton Harbour and visit his grandmother in
Oklahoma and his father in California. A few days later Maurice Carter left
Benton Harbour, Michigan.

TWO YEARS LATER

Soon after the shooting of policeman Thomas Schadler, in Benton Harbour,
Michigan, Maurice left and went to visit his grandmother and other relatives
in Dow and McAlister, Oklahoma. He stayed with them over the Christmas and
New Years holidays. Afterwards he went to Los Angeles, California to visit
his father. He stayed and worked in California for a while.

After his stay in California, Maurice Carter was back in his hometown of
Gary, Indiana. He was unaware Wilbur Gillespie was in serious trouble with
Benton Harbour, Michigan Police Department for a delivery of heroin charge.
In November of 1975, it appeared that Wilbur Gillespie got caught with some
narcotics in a police drug raid. Because of his past record and the fact
that he didn't want to go back to prison, he decided to play ball with the
police. The Schadler's case was unsolved and the police thought that Wilbur
knew something about it. It was during his November of 1975 jail time that
Wilbur Gillespie and the Benton Harbour, Michigan Police Department manipulated
each other. Al Edwards, the policeman in charge of the Schadler's case told
Wilbur Gillespie that since his back was up against the wall and he was facing
a life sentence as a result of his criminal history that if he played ball
with them, he (Al Edwards) would see to it that everything would work out
in his favour, and with $5000 reward money. On December 20, 1975 Wilbur Gillespie
signed his statement claiming that he saw Maurice Carter running from the
scene of the crime on December 20, 1973.

On the same day and after the conference with detective Al Edwards and
Wilbur Gillespie, John Smietanka, the local prosecutor for Berrien County,
issued a warrant for Maurice Carter's arrest.THE ARREST

One month later, January 5th, 1976, in Gary, Indiana, Maurice was arrested
and charged with Assault with Intent to Commit the Murder of policeman, Thomas
Schadler which happened on December 20, 1973. Because Maurice knew he was
innocent he waived extradition procedures that very same day.

Maurice was transported 60 miles and arrived at Benton Harbour, Michigan
city jail at 10pm that night. While Maurice was in the custody of the city
jail, Al Edwards called the local newspaper and informed them about the Maurice
Carter arrest. That same night a photographer came to the jail and took a
picture of Maurice. The next day Jan 6th, Maurice's picture appeared on the
front page of the Herald Palladium News accusing him of being the shooter
of policeman Thomas Schadler. The following week, on Jan 13th the police arranged
a line up for the victims, Thomas and Ruth Schadler. They both picked Maurice
Carter as the assailant. Also another witness, Nancy Butzbaugh, identified
him from a second floor apartment building view on the day of the incident
in 1973. However, one of the prosecution's key witnesses, the black female
sales clerk, Gwen Baird, was not at this police line up on Jan 13, 1976.

THE TRIAL

The Berrien County Court system appointed attorney James K. Jesse from
Buchanan, Michigan to represent Maurice Carter for trial. During the preliminary
examination on January 15, 1976, Wilbur Gillespie, Thomas and Ruth Schadler
testified that Maurice Carter was the man on the day of December 20th, 1973
who they saw either running from the scene of the crime or the gunman who
committed the crime. Basically their testimony bound him over for trial.

While waiting in the county jail for trial to commence, Maurice began writing
letters to his Indiana State Senator, Michigan's Attorney General and to
the Benton Harbor, Michigan NAACP local chapter. He explained to everyone
that he was in jail for a crime he did not commit and that the police was
using false information against him. No one wanted to get involved because
this was a black man charged with shooting a white policeman.

The court's records reflect that prior to the trial, at no time did attorney
James K. Jesse motioned the court for a discovery disclosure of all the police
records containing the victim's and other witness statements and descriptions.
Maurice told him he was innocent of the crimes, yet the attorney went to trial
unprepared. Attorney James K. Jesse never questioned the suggestive and biased
police and newspaper tactics of allowing Maurice's picture to appear on the
front page of the local newspaper before he was given a police line-up. After
all he was not arrested as a result of the victim's Thomas and Ruth Schadler,
identifying him. It was Wilbur Gillespie's statement. After Maurice's picture
appeared two years later in the local newspaper, only then did the Schadler's
pick him out as their assailant. During the May 1976 trial, they testified
that Maurice Carter was their assailant.

Also during the May 1976 trial, prosecution eye witness Gwen Baird and
Connie Allen testified that Maurice Carter was most definitely not the man
who shot policeman Thomas Schadler. Both state the gunman was much darker
and heavy set. Prosecution witness Wilbur Gillespie recanted his previous
Jan. 15, 1976 preliminary examination testimony against Maurice. He told the
all white jury at trial that detective Al Edwards threatened him with a life
sentence if he did not cooperate with him.

After the Maurice Carter trial, Wilbur Gillespie was charged with perjury
and he was sentenced to 15-30 years in prison, yet it was his statement of
December 20, 1975 which implicated Maurice as the assailant and which led
to his arrest.

As a result of Maurice's state appointed attorney not requesting for a
discovery disclosure for all of the records, Thomas and Ruth Schadler's untruthful
trial testimony went unchallenged. Their prior police statements were never
entered or made part of the court's records. In four of the police reports,
Thomas Schadler clearly stated that he did not pay any special attention to
his assailant and in another one he clearly stated that he did not get a
description of his assailant. Several newspaper articles collaboratedThomas
Schadler's police statements. Mrs. Schadler stated in her police reports that
she did not know what was happening until after everything was over. She
even stated in another police report that the gunman was left handed and
5 feet 8 inches tall: Maurice is right handed and 6 feet 1 inch tall.

SUPPORT LIBERTARIAN PRISONER RAFAEL BALLARIN

The support committees of Rafael Ballarin want to bring to your attention
the serious injustice this young man is suffering. Rafael is from a small
town close to Graus in Northern Spain, he worked as a farmer and has no criminal
record.

On the evening of 1st of December, 1996, Rafa and his girlfriend Valle
were walking through a main street in Madrid when they were brutally attacked
by a gang of 7 neo-nazi skinheads. They were both knocked to the floor under
a hail of blows from chains, sticks and steel toe-capped boots. Under this
savage assault Rafa pulled out a small knife and tried to defend them both
with it. Rafa stabbed one of the attackers, who died instantly. After this
Rafa and his girlfriend managed to run away from the fascists. Three days
later the police arrested Rafa and he was taken to prison. He is currently
awaiting trial.

Press coverage of this incident was limited to the police version of events
where Rafa was described as a 'dangerous punk' who without reason, attacked
some 'helpless students', reducing the whole incident to a weekend fight.
In fact this is not true at all, these 'young students' are in fact a dangerous
ultra-fascist group and some of them have criminal records for similar aggression.
This 'dangerous punk' is a young man from a small town near the Pyrenees.
The mortal wound that killed one of Rafa's attackers was no more than 1 centimetre
deep, which shows that Rafa didn't intend to kill anyone.

Would the judge have prefered Rafael and Valle to have been killed by fascists
like many other people over the last few years such as David Martin, Ricardo
Gonzalez and Guillem Agullo?

We consider that Rafa had the legitimate right to defend himself in this
situation where his own life and that of his girlfriend were in danger. We
demand his release and complete acquittal at the next trial. We also demand
the immediate dissolution of fascist groups who are involved in increasingly
more violent attacks throughout Spain.

We ask for all people reading this leaflet to support Rafa by sending him
messages of solidarity to:

Rafael Ballarin Bergua

C.P. Madrid III, Carretera Pinto-S.Martin de la Vega km.5.

Valdemoro 28.340 (Madrid) Spain

For more information and to get involved with the actions that will take
place to support him during the trial he will have to suffer, please contact:

Comite de Apoyo a Rafael Ballarin - C.S.L., Coso 186, Spain

Coordinadora de Apoya a Rafael Ballarin - Ap.184, Huesca, Spain

Thanks in the name of Rafa for all your support

For more copies of this leaflet (in English or Spanish) please contact: